Study Comparing RT With Cetuximab + Xevinapant to RT With Cetuximab-placebo in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Xevinapant is an antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) that has been shown both chemo-, radiosensitizing, and immunomodulatory activities in nonclinical in vitro and in vivo squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) models. In previously untreated patients with non-resected locally advanced SCCHN, the addition of xevinapant recently showed a significant improvement of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and loco-regional control at 3 years after completing treatment. Thus, the purpose of this Phase III study is to demonstrate the superior efficacy to the xevinapant when it is administered in combination with radiotherapy (RT)+cetuximab compared to radiotherapy+cetuximab (SoC) + placebo in previously untreated participants with LA-SCCHN, ineligible for high-dose cisplatin defined as ≥ 200 mg/m² (projective total cumulative dose) throughout the course of the radiotherapy.